Ban smoking on Tennessee's community playgrounds

I am absolutely appalled to learn that the "rights" of smokers outweigh the right of our precious children to breathe fresh air on the playgrounds of Tennessee! State law does not allow communities to regulate smoking, so I believe the state should take on this responsibility. Smoking has been banned in public buildings, restaurants, airplanes, outside entrances of public buildings, on university campuses, and even at the UT football stadium, so why can't helpless young children be protected from being exposed to the acrid odor and toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke when they are on Tennessee's community playgrounds? Young children should be able to breathe fresh air as they play and exercise . No smoker has ever died from a "nicotine fit" when they can't smoke, but children have died from smoke-induced asthma. Discarded cigarette butts also pose a danger to children who may put them in their mouth or handle them. Many playgrounds have mulch that can burn if a lit cigarette is thrown into it. It is time for us to put a priority on our children's health and ban smoking within Tennessee's playgrounds.

Letter to

Tennessee State Legislature

Ban smoking on Tennessee's community playgrounds

I am absolutely appalled to learn that the "rights" of smokers outweigh the right of our precious children to breathe fresh air on the playgrounds of Tennessee! State law does not allow communities to regulate smoking, so I believe the state should take on this responsibility. Smoking has been banned in public buildings, restaurants, airplanes, outside entrances of public buildings, on university campuses, and even at the UT football stadium, so why can't helpless young children be protected from being exposed to the acrid odor and toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke when they are on Tennessee's community playgrounds? Young children should be able to breathe fresh air as they play and exercise . No smoker has ever died from a "nicotine fit" when they can't smoke, but children have died from smoke-induced asthma. Discarded cigarette butts also pose a danger to children who may put them in their mouth or handle them. Many playgrounds have mulch that can burn if a lit cigarette is thrown into it. It is time for us to put a priority on our children's health and ban smoking within Tennessee's playgrounds.